I hope you enjoyed my silly sewing rhyme. Thank you to my friends, Philip, for illustrating, and to Marj for helping me fine tune this rhyme. It will be back to the normal writing fare when you return to the blog next time.

69 Comments

Oh how so true this is!! UFO’s can haunt! lol Keep up the fantastic teaching Nancy!!

Louise MarieMarch 19, 2013

What a treat. You are truly amazing. i have always loved the dog whisperer and the horse whisperer. Now i have the sewing whisperer to love!

Sandra Van LankveltMarch 19, 2013

And, up in my sewing room I heard such a clatter,
I had to go look to see what was the matter.
My scissors and cutters were dancing all over
and even my sewing machine started it’s motor.
Well finally I said okay I am here
to finish my projects that have sat here all year???

Thank you so much Nancy for your beautiful story. I honestly did not realize that I had left a few of my projects unfinished for so long, until I read your “Sewing Whisperer”. How lovely it was to read and it started me to write a bit of a rhyme. LOLOL. I certainly hope that you maintain this story for a very very long time on your site it was GREAT.

God Bless
Sandra

GingerMarch 17, 2013

Nancy, have you tried writing books for your grandchildren? They would love it and so would you. [You need something to do in your free time.]

Nancy ZiemanMarch 17, 2013

Nice idea! Now, about all that free time . . .

Judy HMarch 11, 2013

Oooh so cute and oh so true….I have lots of UFO’s and apparently sew do you…..

MarieMarch 11, 2013

Nancy,
Thank you for the “silly” poem, it put a smile on my face. My sister and her daughter go once a year to a place called Shipshiwanna (sp?) for a sewing weekend. I don’t know if they pull “all-nighters” but they get a lot of UFO’s completed. I recently retired and am finding my sewing time a bit lonesome, so I hope to find a sew-a-ree nearby or maybe in far away Shipshiwanna.
Marie in the Mountains

suzanne KauffmanMarch 11, 2013

Maybe you can take up book writing. So we have something to read when the sewing day is through.
Nice respite.

Sharon J.March 10, 2013

Your poem and artwork brought smiles and chuckles. This is definitely a keeper. It brings me much comfort knowing I am not the only one with unfinished projects — And it is a Hallalula Day when a few of these get completed. We must all Stay Calm and Sew On!!

Betty SipleMarch 10, 2013

I just received your email about the Sewing Whisperer. I am one of those that loves to start new projects and hate to finish them. I attended a meeting where our speaker said she worked on only one thing at a time. When it was finished, she would start another. I told this to an owner of a quilt shop I was visiting. She made me feel better, she said that she had many projects going and didn’t intend to finish them. I guess my family can worry over my UFO’s when I am gone. Thanks, I really enjoyed the poem!

BarbMarch 10, 2013

I truly enjoyed the the cute story, and your illustrators pictures, and it also did help me remember some of those ufos.

In response to Juliet, I can understand what you’re trying to convey………………
But being Busy is not the problem; it is being disconnected to an intelligent pure inner flow that is always pouring out of each individual life, for if this was not so, none of us would be appearing and existing as we are, as Self-expressed living beings.
What causes stress, sicknesses of all kinds and scenarios as you have described, is the unconscious disconnection to the inner creative life flow of our own innate individual self-essence and expression.
We all need rest and renewal periods of solitude and quiet gentle conscious contemplation periods, so as to reconnect to the true inner Self, letting go of all outer happenings for a while, and then make way for the imprisoned splendor of the inward flow of intelligent Life, to pour out naturally and without obstruction, stress or struggle. Each individual is an actual distributor of Life.
Becoming conscious and getting out of a mechanical mind trap, is a key factor in balancing the centripetal and centrifugal forces that exist continually within each of us and manifest through each individual being. If these forces go out of balance then your outer world will appear out of balance also.
The creative life forces are always in a pure but powerful intelligent neutral state. Each one of us has the responsibility to awaken to this fact and learn how to direct and balance the inward and outward flow in our own microcosmic world. Everybody has their own microcosmic world that they create within the one macrocosmic world.
We are co- creating at every turn in our lives whether we know it or not.
Waking up to this fact is why we are all here.

Happy Sewing Everyone,
Michelle

joanne roseMarch 10, 2013

You always inspire us to move on without fear. So many projects where does one start indeed. with so many new things to also learn.
It is comforting to know I am not the only one with multiple projects awaiting my attention. All clearly marked in their own containers.
to add to not just my own chaos, I have many my Mom could not complete. With her passing I have vowed to complete all that she started.
Oh my this takes me thru most crafts.
I will complete them all thou. we just have to hope for long winters. Oops that didn’t work this year maybe next

I thought your “Kick It Up A Stitch” production was a hoot, now you expand your repertoire with poetry — so well done and clever!

RobertaMarch 9, 2013

Love it – thanks for doing it!!!

BrunellaMarch 9, 2013

Nancy,

I guess somehow I’ve always known; but today I’m saying it…
you’re here to make the world a better place. Thanks so much for your lovely poem and the art, and thanks for all that you do to inspire and teach.

Barbara LandiMarch 9, 2013

Was Mary Mulari the model for the sew-whisperer? Looks like her!

Linda HeckMarch 9, 2013

Wish you could have this printed up? I think of few of us sure would love to have it hanging in our sewing rooms. Your words of wisdom are always so much appreciated.
Thanks Nancy!!

Diane DuganMarch 9, 2013

Very clever. Thanks for the day brightener.

Juliet SmebakkenMarch 9, 2013

Hmmmm. “Finish what you have started …. O.k., maybe over a reasonable period of spare time, but pulling all nighters is an extremely unhealthy “solution” to what is essentially a problem with gluttony, Nancy. Forgive my directness, but at the risk of being rude, I think that having too much to do is essentially symptomatic of wanting too much, or being unable to say ‘no’ to others, rather than do what is in your own best interest.

Once upon a time, I followed the same “all nighter” work- harder solution/philosophy to life and passed it along to my precious daughter, as well. While simultaneously maintaining her place in the top one percent of students at her school academically, she was an athletic-scholarship recipient as the result of year-around athletic/leaderhip in each team she competed in – soccer, gymnastics, track; she was a participant and/or leader of multiple school organizations – national honor society, band, school play, environment club, etc. etc. etc. She won numerous awards for her skills in French, music, and sports. She was a full-time lifeguard and canoe-camp counselor every summer.

The over-achieving came to a climax in her junior year in high school when she slipped into a grand mal seizure, after an all-nighter of setting up (and then participating in ) her school prom. The neurologists tell us that we may never know what caused her seizure, but that in all liklihood, it was the stress and lack of sleep due to her relentless academic/athletic/social pursuits that triggered it.

Obsessed with creative ideas? Now I am satisfied to simply write them down in a journal, to tackle at another time, or pass them along to others, instead. Sometimes I’ll even staple a swatch of “the perfect fabric” I found for the project in the notebook. For some reason, this helps me let the idea go until another time.

Nancy, I want you to be a role model and “Stop the Madness” of the “MORE,MORE, MORE” culture that is killing us all. I want you to do it for your beautiful self, your beautiful family, your hard-working loyal staff, and all the people that look up to you for ideas, advice, and companionship.
Sincerely,
Juliet Smebakken, one of your biggest fans

(P.S. My daughter is doing very well in college, since she [and I] have learned to let go of the need to complete or conquer “everything”. Thanks be to God.

Claudy ArfarasMarch 9, 2013

Oh come on Juliette! Seizure because of hard work? First of all Nancy isn’t a child! Yes it’s true we can take on to much but to tell our Nancy she’s doing a dis-service or at least implying she is because of hard work is a joke! That’s downright unAmerican! I am very familiar with brain abnormalities because I have MS. I suggest you get a second opinion and maybe a third and fourth about the nature and cause of your daughter’s seizure! Hardworking woman unlike men seem to get this you do to much! If Nancy were a man would you tell him you work to hard? I bet not! The fact is many woman work their you know what off! How about some acknowledgment for the service to Nancy’s viewers and all the charities supported and you back off! Sounds like guilt to me for your daughter’s unfortunate illness and definitely a rare occurrence you choose to beat yourself up for and now others! Forgive yourself…..

Ann BMarch 11, 2013

To Juliet,
It’s true, we only have one life to live and that is our own. Pushing ourselves beyond our body’s capacity is not kind. Attempting to micromanage another’s life is not kind to them or yourself. Forgive yourself for any influence you ‘might’ have been.
The poem was a fantasy….and a one time all night sewing bee with a group of friends to complete UFOs could be a delight. The same delight and joy quilters experience at quilting retreats when they are too excited to sleep. These retreats can be physically tiring, but mentally/emotionally rejuvenating.
Beating yourself up and pulling repeat all-nighters because of perfectionism is not kind to yourself or others….which if we are paying attention will eventually learn to stop.
I agree with Claudy that your daughter may need to look beyond overwork for cause of the seizure. However, self-imposed stress can create hormone and mineral imbalances with potential for seizure….especially progesterone and magnesium. You may both benefit from extra multiple B-Vitamins. She may also have experimented with medication or illegal drugs/alcohol, of which she’s unwilling to admit.http://www.amazon.com/Stubbornly-Refuse-Yourself-Miserable-Anything/dp/0806527382/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361167904&sr=1-3&keywords=albert+ellis

Claudy ArfarasMarch 9, 2013

Nancy Zieman just like a dream can, stitch away your backed up day! Looked inside for our trusted guide to find these words in such away! Now that’s talent she’s kept silent until this lucky day! More we say of your words like clay and an easy way to buy it….

LaurelMarch 9, 2013

What a fun reminder of what I need to do – finish up a few projects! Thanks for the treat!

NancyDMarch 9, 2013

Was in the middle of something complex, so I took a time out to check my email, and was so ready for a sewer’s smile! Very well done!

Natalie SewellMarch 9, 2013

Delightful! A new side of you has emerged! Charming!

Janice ElkinsMarch 9, 2013

Loved the poem and it certainly hits home for a lots of us, I’m sure. Thank you.

Marilyn MMarch 9, 2013

That was great. Makes me want to get up and finish all of my unfinished projects. Too many to count.

RitaMarch 9, 2013

Yes, definitely you need to make a poster for us to purchase. Really hit home. Love it.

MartyMarch 9, 2013

Love it! And the illustrations are wonderful! Love, Carry on and Sew!

Judy BrennanMarch 9, 2013

This is so fun, Nancy! Thanks for creating this and posting it. I loved it. Great to see you at Sew Expo and get a pic with you. Loved your lecture and your evening program with Mary.

Marsha NelsonMarch 9, 2013

Sew cute and a great reminder to get to those UFOs’.

NancyMarch 9, 2013

What a delight! You’ve really told the story of all us quilters. Keep up the good work.

Betty HedgesMarch 9, 2013

I loved it!!! I think a poster would be great, or maybe a sewing kit. You know just another project to start. LOL

Loved it all, earlier this week our daughter brought a little poster for the sewing room “Keep calm and get the seam ripper”! Perfect timing, many thanks for all you do.

Nancy OwensMarch 9, 2013

Oh, this would be such a great poster for my sewing room…….print them and I’ll buy 3 for myself and my sisters!

Always knew you were talented!!!!!!!

KellyMarch 9, 2013

That is classic beautiful art all by itself!!!! I love it!!

Shirley BurnsMarch 9, 2013

Absolutely adorable, brought a big smile to my face and almost a tear realizing I need the “whisperer” to help me out too!! It is a classic that should hang on every sewing room’s wall…..Great lesson for us all…..Thanks Nancy !!

GinetteMarch 9, 2013

I just love it. Thanks. I would love to print this out. It is also very encouraging.
I love the idea of the Sewing Whisperer. It encourages me to finish some project. And Sewland, I love this idea. Will share this poem with my daughter.

What a wonderful way to brighten my day. Thank you Nancy, Phillip, and Marj!

Judith StalcupMarch 9, 2013

You are truly a woman of many talents, and I love and follow them all! This is delightful and should be published!

MarianneMarch 9, 2013

Thank you. How very, very funny and very apt too. One of my daughters and I are getting together next week-end to do just this -finish off a multitude of started-but-not-finished sewing; pairing patterns to fabrics in her stash; repair or cull garments that are hanging around in her basket awaiting attention and generally just have a great sewing week-end. I hope she returns the visit later in the year so I can get sorted too